Secrets and lies
VIOLET
It was over in a heartbeat, but the shock of it left me frozen. My heart lurched in my chest as my mind raced to catch up with what had just happened.
Caleb pulled back immediately, his hands dropping as though he’d been burned. “Oh, my God,” he stammered, his face flushing a deep shade of red. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine,” I cut in, my voice shaky but firm. I stepped back, putting some space between us. My hand instinctively went to my lips, brushing against them as if to erase what had just occurred.
“Violet, I didn’t mean to—”
“I said it’s fine!” My voice came out sharper than I intended, more a reflection of the guilt churning inside me than anger at Caleb. I looked away, swallowing hard.
“Oh, wow! My bad!”
I turned sharply at the sound of Amelia’s voice. She was standing a few feet away, holding a drink in one hand and waving the other in exaggerated apology. Her grin was wide, her tone light, but there was a tipsy lack of awareness in her expression.
“Amelia,” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
She raised her glass as if to toast. “Didn’t mean to crash into you two! Tight spaces, you know?” She laughed, oblivious to the tension hanging in the air, then took a sip of her drink.
I stared at her, the reality of the situation crashing down like a tidal wave. Amelia bumped into me. That’s how this happened. But that didn’t make it any less of a problem.
Caleb cleared his throat awkwardly. “It’s... it’s fine,” he muttered, though he still looked mortified.
Amelia’s grin faltered slightly as she noticed my expression. “Wait, what? Did I ruin something?”
“No,” I said quickly, forcing a tight smile. “It’s nothing. You didn’t ruin anything.”
Her eyes flicked between me and Caleb, and a mischievous smirk curled on her lips. “Huh. Okay, then. Carry on!” She gave a dramatic little wave before disappearing back into the crowd, completely unaware of the storm she’d left behind.
I turned back to Caleb, who still looked like he wanted to disappear. “I’m so sorry about that,” he said again, his voice quieter now.
“It’s fine,” I said stiffly “It was just... an accident.”
“Right,” he echoed, nodding slowly.
Glancing at his wristwatch, he added, “Uh, I’ve got to go now.”
“Oh, sure,” I said, nodding curtly.
He gave me a half-smile before turning and walking off, disappearing into the crowd without another word.
As soon as he was out of sight, I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding against my ribs.
What the hell was that?
Before I could process the mess of feelings swirling in my chest, the sharp ring of my phone cut through the noise around me. I jumped at the sound, and my stomach dropped when I saw the name flashing on the screen.
Ryan.
My heart skipped a beat as a wave of guilt and panic hit me like a tidal wave. There was no way he could know what had just happened, right? That was impossible. But the sight of his name alone made my chest tighten.
I stared at the screen, my finger hovering over the green icon to answer. But I couldn’t. I hadn’t told him I was coming to this party. Partly because he’d been so busy and our conversation today was clipped and distant, but mostly because I knew he wouldn’t have approved.
The phone buzzed again in my hand, but I let it go to voicemail, shoving it back into my bag as if that would somehow ease the sinking feeling in my chest.
“I’ll call him later,” I murmured to myself. “When I’m back at the dorm.”
But staying at the party any longer felt unbearable. The music was too loud, the lights too harsh, and the crowd too suffocating. My stomach churned with unease, and all I could think about was getting out of there before something else went wrong.
Grabbing my bag, I pushed my way through the throng of people, ignoring the laughter and shouts that echoed around me. I spotted Amelia in the corner, chatting animatedly with a group of guys, but I didn’t stop to say goodbye.
The cool night air hit me like a balm as I stepped outside, my heels clicking against the pavement. My breathing slowed, but the knot in my chest remained. I flagged down the first cab I saw, giving the driver my dorm address before sinking into the back seat.
AMELIA’S POV
I love summer—the way it fills the world with warmth and life, painting everything in vibrant hues. I love the cool breeze that follows after rain, refreshing and calming like nature’s sigh. But what I love most? The outcome of tonight’s little masterpiece.
I took another gulp of vodka, the burn sliding down my throat as my happiness swelled. Across the room, I watched as our precious little princess charming—Violet—slipped out of the party in a flustered rush.
Aw, leaving so soon?
I let out a soft chuckle, savoring the victory. Just then, a voice broke through my thoughts.
“Amelia.”
I turned to see Caleb approaching, his expression a mix of irritation and boredom. A smile tugged at my lips as I leaned against the bar.
“Nice work tonight, Caleb,” I said, my tone light but loaded with satisfaction.
He shook his head, pouring himself a drink and downing it in one swift motion. “I did what you asked me to do. Now, where’s my end of the deal? Link me with the girl.”
“Violet?” I asked, feigning surprise. “You mean you’re actually interested in her?”
Caleb rolled his eyes and snorted. “God, no. She’s as boring as they come. I want Skyle—you know that.”
“Relax, I was just teasing,” I said with a dry chuckle, waving him off.
Truth be told, I had this plan locked and loaded the moment I realized Caleb and Violet had crossed paths before. It wasn’t hard to track him down and convince him to play his part. All he had to do was strike up a conversation with Violet, act friendly, and leave the rest to me. And boy, did he deliver.
I glanced at the screen of my phone, the smirk on my lips growing wider. The picture I’d taken was perfect—Violet and Caleb, way too close for comfort, their lips barely brushing. It was so innocent yet so damning.
Originally, I’d only planned to snap a picture of them at close proximity, but that accidental kiss? Oh, it was the cherry on top. I zoomed in on the image, admiring my handiwork as a sense of satisfaction coursed through me.
“You’ve got what you wanted. Now, let me enjoy my drink in peace,” Caleb muttered, clearly done with the conversation.
I didn’t bother responding, my focus solely on the photo. The possibilities it held danced in my mind, each one more tantalizing than the last.
Ryan…
I ran my thumb over the screen, as if sealing my intentions.
You don’t know what’s coming for you
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